CHELSEA WILLIAMS

I spend mornings reading my Bible, exercising my “inner man”. I also pray and meditate for about 30 minutes.

Quickly describe your morning routine.

On most days, my iPhone is my alarm clock. Right now, “Silk” is the notification tone that I am using. I typically wake up around 5:30 a.m. Let’s be real, 5:30 a.m. is early. I keep rosewater on my nightstand so that I can mist my face in the mornings as an effort to wake up faster. I stretch, then oil pull with coconut oil for about 20 minutes. While oil pulling, I do other miscellaneous tasks around my home. Sometimes I will throw in a load of laundry, or do dishes that were left in the sink from the night before.

How often do you change your morning routine?

I don’t change my routine often but, life does happen. If I stay up too late the night before, or if I am traveling, I’ll sleep in.

My first drink is two tablespoons of organic blackstrap molasses at around 6:30 a.m, followed by a glass or two of warm lemon water. I don’t consume animals or animal byproducts, so this helps with my iron intake. Blackstrap molasses is also good for hair growth, is high in calcium, and potassium. I chase the molasses with lemon water because it optimizes iron absorption. It’s also a great energy booster.

Do you exercise in the morning and/or meditate in the morning?

I’ve tried exercising in the morning during the work week and it just doesn’t work for me. I’d prefer to exercise my day away at night. I spend mornings reading my Bible, exercising my “inner man”. I also pray and meditate for about 30 minutes. If I wake up late and find myself rushing, I will listen to Pastor John K. Jenkins Sr. or Dr. Charles Stanley while I get ready for the day.

How soon after waking up do you check your phone? [Check/send emails, social media]

I don’t check my phone until around 7:00 a.m. – 7:30 a.m.

What are the most important tasks you complete in the morning?

Reading my Bible and prayer are the two most important tasks that I complete in the morning. Proverbs 3:6 explains it best.

What is your bedtime routine?

I’m usually getting ready for bed at the latest, 10:45 p.m. or 11:00 p.m. I have late nights on occasion, but I try not make it a habit. I’ll have tea and quickly pray before bed to relax. I love to sleep near my essential oil diffuser for a restful night’s sleep.

Are you able to keep the same routine when you’re traveling or in a different environment?

Depending on where and the purpose for traveling, it’s hard to stick with my routine. This is most true when I visit family. I usually will not make my GGS, and instead go out to breakfast to catch up with loved ones. Also, traveling is always like a mini vacation to me. When I travel, I like to sleep in if afforded the opportunity.Do you stick to your routine on the weekends or do you tweak it?

I tweak my routine on the weekends. I usually wake up between 7:00 a.m. – 7:30 a.m. I get up, oil pull, then head out to my local farmer’s market. If I don’t get there before 9:00 a.m., it is overrun with crowds of people. I’ll throw a protein bar in my bag or grab something to eat while I’m out running errands and listen to a podcast in the car.

Do you see a change in your day if you forget/don’t to follow your morning routine?

Definitely! I feel sluggish if I do not eat breakfast. If I don’t meditate/pray in the mornings consistently, I feel like I’m more prone to make emotional, irrational decisions.

What project(s) are you currently working on which adds value to your life?

I am always working on my blog, ThatsChelsea.com. This is a personal health and wellness blog that encourages women to adopt more plant-based meals, and green beauty (non-toxic) cosmetics. Transitioning to a plant-based, non-toxic lifestyle has drastically improved my life. I hope to help do the same for someone else.

Chelsea a DC-based Health Communication Consultant and Blogger at ThatsChelsea.com, who is passionate about all things pertaining to health and wellness.